The Boy Who Lived Comes to Life: A Literary Analysis of the First Chapter of Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone

by S.P. Sipal

From the author of  A Writer's Guide to Harry Potter , this first volume in The Boy Who Lived Guides for Writers and Fans, "The Boy Who Lived Comes to Life" takes apart the first chapter of J.K. Rowling's magical saga to analyze for writers what specific craft techniques gave birth to the phenomenon. Originally posted on the Harry Potter for Writers blog, and collected here for the reader's convenience, this series of posts discusses the beginning of The Philosopher's/Sorcerer's Stone with regard to characterization, world building, backstory, mystery plotting, stakes, conflict, and voice. Also included are a few "mistakes" JK Rowling made along the way.

The "Boy Who Lived Comes to Life" is a short, targeted analysis focused only on the specific aspects of this first chapter that so captivated the earliest readers. This material is supplemental to and not included in the full A Writer's Guide to Harry Potter workshop book.

Contents include quotes, tables and lists to highlight specific examples .

Table of Contents:
Introduction
1) Characterization
2) World Building
3) Backstory and Mystery Plotting
4) Stakes and Conflict
5) Voice
6) "Mistakes" JK Rowling Made

About the Author:
Published in fiction and nonfiction through articles, short stories, and a novel, SP Sipal is best known as an analyst of the Harry Potter series. She's spoken at numerous fan and writer conferences at the national, international, and online level and published articles dissecting the alchemical and Egyptian mythological motifs running through the series. She continues the discussion with other writers of how to improve our writing with Harry Potter as our guide at her blog at HarryPotterforWriters.blogspot.com and accompanying Twitter feed @HP4Writers.

** "The Boy Who Lived Comes to Life" is an unofficial literary analysis of the Harry Potter series. It is not endorsed or authorized by JK Rowling, her publishers, or Warner Brothers. All uses of any trademarked or character names are solely for the purpose of analysis. All quoted passages are copyrighted by JK Rowling.

Genres: Nonfiction

38 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 4, 2011

About the author

Born and raised in North Carolina, Susan Sipal had to travel halfway across the world and return home to embrace her father and grandfather's penchant for telling a tall tale. After having lived with her husband in his homeland of Turkey for many years, she suddenly saw the world with new eyes and had to write about it.

Perhaps it was the emptiness of the Library of Celsus at Ephesus that cried out to be refilled, or the myths surrounding the ancient Temple of Artemis, but she's been writing stories filled with myth and mystery ever since.

You can find Susan online at HarryPotterforWriters.com, SPSipal.com, and on Twitter @HP4Writers.

Reviews

[Paige Vincent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very quick read; highly fascinating. This book is a BRIEF analysis specifically on the closing of the Harry Potter series, but makes connections from all six prior books. The books also can serve as a mini guide for writers and how they can learn from the works of Rowling. Well done, Sipal, well done.

[Niniane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing analysis. The Hero's journey critique was excellent, as was the alchemy and themes discussions. As a person who enjoys reading and writing, I was delighted by this book.